K'naan
K'naan
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Every now and again, the forced dislocation of refugees generates, against all odds, a pop cultural ray of light like . . . K'naan. The Muslim rapper was raised until age 13 in lawless Somalia (where he saw three of his friends shot dead, and learned his English from Eric B. & Rakim tracks), and was then relocated to Rexdale, Ontario, via Harlem. What that amounts to, musically, is an electrifying blend of principled, socially conscious hip-hop (he has spoken out in support of the Somali pirates), various core African rhythms, and an accessible underlay of pop/rock production. Here, we've picked out a few choice K'naan highlights to date, including the energised Damian Marley collaboration "I Come Prepared," the autobiographical "Dreamer," the tribally percussive "Soobax" from 2005's The Dusty Foot Philosopher, and "Wavin' Flag" — F.I.F.A.'s choice of official anthem for the 2010 World Cup.
$18.15
Parental AdvisoryName Artist Time Price 1 Wavin' Flag K'naan 3:40 $1.29 View In iTunes 2 ExplicitTake a Minute K'naan 4:06 $1.29 View In iTunes 3 Strugglin' K'naan 3:34 $0.99 View In iTunes 4 CleanBang Bang K'naan & Adam Levine 3:03 $1.29 View In iTunes 5 Soobax K'naan 3:42 $0.99 View In iTunes 6 Smile K'naan 4:03 $0.99 View In iTunes 7 In the Beginning K'naan 3:21 $1.29 View In iTunes 8 ExplicitDreamer K'naan 4:32 $1.29 View In iTunes 9 Soobax K'naan 3:42 $0.99 View In iTunes 10 ExplicitI Come Prepared K'naan & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley 4:09 $1.29 View In iTunes 11 ExplicitABC's (Chubb Rock Version) K'naan & Chubb Rock 3:09 $1.29 View In iTunes 12 CleanSomalia K'naan 3:33 $1.29 View In iTunes 13 Africa Must Wake Up Nas, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley & K'naan 6:40 $1.29 View In iTunes 14 Each Tear Mary J. Blige & K'naan 4:15 $1.29 View In iTunes 15 Wavin' Flag Young Artists for Haiti 3:55 $1.29 View In iTunes Total: 15 Songs
Customer Reviews
Nice try, but iTunes needs a proof reader
This essential collection would be great if it contained the songs the blurb says it does! As I write this, it includes only one of the four described highlights. The mix that was planned is worth 5 stars, but that gaffe drags it down.
To really have an "essential" list, fans should go get "I Come Prepared" and "Dreamer". Then pick from several versions of "Wavin' Flag" - including the cover by "Young Artists for Haiti", (video available on iTunes) which was launched by K'naan as a We-are-the-world-esque fundraising effort following the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January 2010, demonstrating again his social conscience and commitment to the underdog. Add "Take a Minute", and you'll round it all out.
K'naan is a remarkable artist, and has benefitted from the exposure granted by FIFA 2010 and the described "ubiquity" of Wavin' Flag. His thoughtful and thought-provoking songs have come to the attention of people who would not otherwise pay attention to Rap. Take me - I'm a middle-aged suburban dad who has listened to and researched this remarkable artist, and it's lead to great discussions with my tweens about perseverance in the face of adversity (incl. Mandela, Ghandi), world music, and the power of giving.
K'naan's music is much more than rhythm and words.
No...
What is the first song that comes to your head when I say "K'naan"? Obviously not "Wavin' Flag". Are you kidding me? These K'naan songs were great 3 years ago, but at least add a few new ones with popularity like "Take A Minute", "Bang Bang", "ABCs","If Rap Gets Jealous" and of course "Wavin' Flag"! Duh!
